Nutritional Therapist Henrietta Norton shares her top tips on how to eat will this festive season by tweaking a few things.
Simple, healthy swaps
The traditional Christmas meal is in fact very healthy but it’s the little ‘treats’ that surround it that tend to add that festive ‘heaviness’. Nuts are in prime season at this time so choose walnuts slowly baked with rosemary & a pinch of rock salt instead of crisps or try strips of smoked trout or avocado on rye bread instead of smoked salmon & blinis. Instead of mulled wine try a gin toddy. This makes the perfect after dinner sipper. Lower in calories and sugar, it also combines the warming spices and remedial properties of cinnamon, cloves and lemon zest
Start the day on the right foot
Start the day with a good quality protein breakfast. This will set you up for the rest of the day, regulating appetite and reducing those temptations for the sugar-laden goods on offer. It will also support the body’s production of useable energy avoiding the mid afternoon slumps. The options I give my clients are poached eggs on steamed spinach, or poached salmon and avocado on spelt or sourdough bread or greek yoghurt with homemade blackberry and spice compote.
Don’t be tempted to skip meals
It is very tempting to start skipping meals to cut down on calories. This is possibly THE WORST thing you can do – my clients call me a stuck record on this. Avoid all low calorie meals, they are often high in sugar and salt and low in nourishment meaning you just feel hungry later on. Instead choose small, regular meals, eating every 4 hours and always including a source healthy fats (such as nuts, seeds, oily fish, olive oil/flaxseed oil, avocadoes) and a source of lean protein (pulses, fish, nuts, seeds, turkey, chicken, game).
Support your digestion
Starting the day with a mug of warm water with a capful of apple cider vinegar with a little honey has also been shown to support digestion, most especially of fatty, heavier foods. Supporting liver function with foods such as beetroot, artichokes, cabbage, brussel sprouts, chicory & broccoli can improve the release of bile, an essential element in the digestion of fatty, rich foods. Taking a supplement to specifically support liver & gut such as our C&R will also support this process.
Easing the pressure
Known as nature’s tranquiliser this powerful mineral is responsible for over 300 enzyme reactions in your body and is leached by factors such as alcohol, stress, coffee, ant-acids and contraceptive pill. Sleeping issues, anxiety and menstrual cramps have improved with the use of magnesium. Nourish yourself with magnesium rich foods including pumpkin seeds, almonds, walnuts, wheat germ, oats, millet, buckwheat, avocado, barley, brown rice, kelp, collard greens, kale, figs and dates or support yourself with a good Food-State supplement. A study published in the journal Gastroenterology earlier this year demonstrated the protective affects of probiotics on stress related digestive disorders, such as IBS. The researchers revealed that stress alters the level of beneficial flora in the gut by inducing intestinal inflammation that often leads to cramping and diarrhoea. However taking probiotics reversed the effects.
Try making this gorgeous winter wonderland cake for Christmas this year! It will impress all your guests who will still be talking about it next year!
Servings: 16-20
Preparation time: 4-5 hours for the cake, gingerbread houses and to assemble
Cooking time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Ingredients
300g packet tropical fruit medley
115g (4 oz) dried cranberries
85g (3 oz) dried sour cherries
Finely grated rind and juice of 1 large orange
225g (8 oz) Stork tub
225g (8 oz) golden caster sugar
4 medium eggs
90g (3 oz) ground almonds
225g (8 oz) plain flour
1 ¼ level teaspoon baking powder
Icing to decorate
65g (2 ½ oz) whole almonds
65g (2 ½ oz) caster sugar
275g( 10 oz) icing sugar, sieved
115g (4 oz) Stork spread
1 tablespoon milk
30cm (12 in) cake board
1 quantity of gingerbread houses
Ribbon
Method
Chop all the dried fruits into small (cranberry-size) pieces. Combine these in a bowl with the orange rind and juice and mix well. Leave to soak for approximately 30 minutes.
Put the Stork, sugar, eggs and almonds in a mixing bowl and sieve the flour and baking powder over. Beat until well mixed then fold in the fruit mixture.
Spoon into a greased and bottom-lined 20cm (8 inch) deep round cake tin.
Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C, 160°C fan, Gas mark 4 for 1 – 1¼ hours or until cooked through (a fine skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean). Leave to cool before removing the cake from the tin.
Place the almonds and sugar in a heavy based pan and place over a moderate heat until the sugar melts and turns a golden caramel colour shaking the pan from time to time. Pour onto parchment paper and leave till cold. Place in polythene bag and bash with rolling pin until roughly ground.
Beat the icing sugar, Stork and milk together and spread half over sides of cake.. Spread remaining icing over top and sprinkle with the praline mix .
To assemble cake: make gingerbread houses and decorate as recipe.
Roll out some of the sugar paste until very thin and lay it over the board. Roll it firmly into the surface and use the rolling pin to smooth paste off the edges. Place the cake on top secured with a little royal icing to stop it moving.
Spread a little royal icing on the back of each house and gently push onto the side of the cake so that the bottom of each one rests on the cake board. Try not to allow any gaps between the houses.
When all the houses are in place, take a length of ribbon and trim the bottom of the houses, securing at the back with a blob of royal icing. Use double sided tape to attach ribbon to the base board. There will be some houses leftover which can be eaten separately.
Tips if time is short:
Leave out the praline and use ready chopped nuts. Make the cake in advance and freeze for up to 2 months, saving time nearer Christmas. The biscuits can be made 5-6 days in advance and kept in an airtight container before decorating.
To make the Gingerbread House, you will need:
¾ tablespoon black treacle
1 ½ tablespoons golden syrup
55g dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon water
1 teaspoon mixed spice
¾ teaspoon ground ginger
70g Stork packet
½ level teaspoon bicarb of soda
165g plain flour
Decoration
Half packet (454g) fondant icing (white or mix of green and red)
Half packet (500g) royal icing, made up according to pack directions
Christmas sprinkles, silver balls etc
Method
Place the treacle, syrup, spices and water in a saucepan and heat until bubbling and sugar has dissolved.
Take off the heat and add the Stork. Stir until melted.
Sieve the flour with the bicarb and add to the pan. Mix to a smooth dough. Place dough in a mixing bowl lined with cling film. Chill for 30-40 mins until cold.
Roll out dough on a floured surface to a thickness of roughly 4mm. Use a sharp knife to cut out the houses at differing heights and widths e.g. heights of 7.5-10cm (3-4 in) and widths of 3.75-7.5cm (1½ -3 in).Have fun with different types of houses e.g. chalet, townhouses etc. Cut the windows out completely for 5 houses if using to sit on the top of the cake
Cover baking sheets with baking parchment and arrange houses with a small 1cm gap so they don’t run into each other.
Bake in centre of preheated oven 190°C, 170°C fan, Gas mark 5 for 10-12 minutes or until the biscuits start to turn brown
Whilst still warm, use a sharp knife to trim the edges so that the vertical lines are straight and the biscuits line up beautifully. Cool.
To decorate, roll out the sugar paste to a thickness of 1-2 mm. Cut out doors and windows and use the royal icing to attach to the biscuits. Then use royal icing to pipe in all the details: railings, icicles, snowflakes, let your imagination run wild!
Use sugar pearls and sprinkles to add texture but sprinkle them whilst the icing is still wet.
If your social life is sparkling, but the idea of hosting a party makes you break out in hives, then Babe Scott, aka The Lazy Hostess is here to help. She reveals her five secrets to stress free entertaining, follow these tips to ensure a wrinkle-free night (and hostess)…
Recruit a Friend to Help Cook
There is nothing scarier than cooking solo, especially when you don’t know your left elbow from an artichoke. Recruit a friend with culinary talents to be your kitchen co-pilot. This way you will have someone with whom you can tell tall stories, share a tipple and taste test dishes. Your friend can also teach you her tips and tricks, like making sure the oven is turned on.
Pre-Plan the Evening
Prepare everything you can ahead of time to ensure you have plenty of time to primp and preen on the day. After all, you don’t want to be upstaged by the hors d’oeuvres. Also make sure you have enough partyware and toe-tapping tunes to go the distance.
Delegate Like a True Diva
Avail yourself of any talents your friends possess. I have friends who have made a lifestyle out of living off other people’s largesse so I think it only fair they sing for their supper. Delegate the roll of official photographer, musicologist, decorator . . . you get my drift. People love showing off their talents. Just make sure you applaud their efforts with a special toast.
Serve a Signature Cocktail
A signature cocktail is de rigueur.It relaxes guests right off the bat, puts them in the party mood and adds a dash of pizzazz. Make up a fabulous name for your libation to help set the tone, like The Sexytini.
Let the Games Begin
Running a cocktail party is akin to running a day care for delinquent children. You must find ways for your guests to let off steam. Dancing is key. Change the soundtrack to a faster tempo as the night gathers momentum and improvise a dance floor. Fun activities are also a good idea. For instance, a toy store karaoke machine is guaranteed hilarity or even host a limbo competition. Above all, have fun. A happy hostess is the key to a happy night.
Panicking about how many times you need to baste? Enduring sleepless nights over just how long to cook the sprouts? You can kiss your Yuletide woes goodbye with the help of Chef Olia Hercules, who was trained at Leiths and perfected her skills in the fiery kitchens of Ottolenghi.. Here she shares her top tips for how to create a flawlessly traditional yuletide meal.
1. When roasting a topside of beef, turn it every 20 mins in the oven to ensure an even roast.
2. To speed up your potato roasting, parboil them for 5 minutes the night before, drain and leave in the fridge.
3. People score their brussel sprouts but it isn’t necessary if you blanche them for 3 minutes and shock in cold water – this gives a more al dente sprout with a vibrant colour.
4. When making cranberry sauce, start with a sugar syrup of sugar and a little water first before adding the cranberries. Adding sugar later will create a lumpy consistency.
5. Brioche bread sauce is a sweeter alternative to using white bread, also mace instead of nutmeg balances the flavour nicely.
6. When roasting vegetables, put the oil onto a baking tray and put it in a hot oven for 5 minutes before adding the vegetables. This means they will get a really crispy coating.
With the Christmas party season soon to be in full swing, and as our bodies are likely to get more of a ‘battering’ than usual, it’s important to look after our health by ‘Pre-toxing’; a concept which prepares your body and helps to minimise potential damage from excessive alcohol and food consumption. With the help of Veganicity’s nutritional expert, Simon Bandy, here is the ideal six-step plan to help avoid festive fatigue.
Don’t crash diet to fit into party outfits
Eat sensibly and ‘stock up’ on nutrient rich foods. Try not to snack on sugary or high fat party foods which can cause fluctuating blood sugar levels, which may lead to fatigue.
Drink (not just booze)
Prepare your gut and immune system for the festive boozy onslaught. Pineapple and asparagus are great for cleansing the system before it’s assaulted with mince pies & mulled wine. Choose drinks mixed with dark berry juices as these tend to be packed full of antioxidants. Drinking 15 drops of Veganicity Elderberry Tincture (£5.95 for 50ml) in a little water twice daily helps to boost levels of antioxidants in the body.
Sleep well
Late night gift shopping, parties and long days at work are often unavoidable in the run up to Christmas. Try to fit in a pre-party snooze. It can be better to have an early night than a morning lie-in where possible, and avoid too much sugar around bedtime.
Do some light exercise
It’s a great way to improve circulation, shift toxins and help recover from a hangover.
Look after your skin
Using a good dry body brush can help skin to glow and stay blemish free. Always remove make-up at night and keep up a good, daily beauty regime. Found in many beauty creams, hyaluronic acid can soften skin to give a lasting anti-ageing effect.
Take a break and look after your liver
Don’t be surprised if your liver is still feeling signs of strain after Christmas. Before the party season begins go alcohol free and during the season take two to three consecutive alcohol-free days off a week in between parties to help your liver recover. According to NetDoctor.co.uk takes an hour for your liver to process one unit of alcohol and providing your liver has no lasting damage, it can repair itself quickly and can take as little as 24 hrs to go back to normal.
To turn your pre-tox into de-tox, drink plenty of water throughout the day after a heavy night and eat healthy foods that are packed full of proteins and nutrients, such as fruit, nuts or seeds and broccoli. Multivitamins can help, but ensure you start taking them at least eight weeks before Christmas for full effect and can aid the immune system in recovery.
It’s been weeks since our entrance into a shop hasn’t been soundtracked by reminders that the festive season is upon us. The lights, the advent calendars, even the smell of mulled wine; all of it seems to serve as a gentle prod to start getting organised. Even if you’re one of those perfect people who annoys the rest of us by having all gifts bought by December 1st (if not the middle of July), there’s still the matter of decorating the house – not too early, please – and most importantly, the tree.
There’s should always be pride of place (hidden at the back, camouflaged amongst the foliage) on the tree for sentimental old ornaments, but maybe this year you’d like to freshen things up. Out with the old, in with the new, indeed. There’s a whole stockings full of great ways to reimagine your Christmas tree so many in fact, that you might just want have a tree in every room! With caution and good taste in mind, we’ve whittled it down to just six. So, here are 6 unique ways to decorate your IDEAL Christmas tree.
Bring Nature In
Bring the beauty of nature into your home with a tree decorated with the bounty of the season. Use pinecones as you found them or give them some shine with a quick spray of gold paint and a sprinkle of glitter. Tie them on the tree with twine or gold cord. Make strings of rosy fresh cranberries (uncooked, of course), and swag them on the branches. Tuck some raffia or burlap ribbons here and there. Compile little ribbon-wrapped bundles of cinnamon sticks and tie them on the tree for their wonderful scent. Dried orange slices are fragrant, too. Go crazy and make candleholders and wreathes if you have the time and willpower. The possibilities are endless and the creativity of foraging only adds to the sense of fun.
Personalise It
Make yours a tree that no one else could possibly have (or want to have!) with personalised family Christmas tree decorations featuring photos of the entire clan. Gather up your favourite snaps, new and old, or shoot some specially for the purpose. You could use photos of your pets, too, and pictures from places that you’ve spent as a unit and are special to you all.
To keep them extra close at this time of year, you might also include photographs of beloved relatives who are no longer with you. Making some sentimental Christmas ornaments of your kid’s hands out of gingerbread or salt dough adds an extra special touch. Why not got the extra mile and customise your Christmas tree with a monogram, complete with your family’s name embroidered on it, giving a whole new meaning to the term ‘family tree’.
Coat It In Treats
Christmas isn’t all about eating sweets, but it’s a great excuse anyway. Make your tree an edible delight with candy canes, a chocolate Santa, paper cones filled with treacle toffee, striped ribbon candy, gingerbread men and women, small netting bags filled with gold-wrapped chocolate coins or sugared almonds, and whatever other confections strike your fancy. You can use the real deal exclusively, or mix it up with ornaments in the same theme. Swag the tree branches with strings of popcorn and set a beautiful sugar plum fairy on top for the perfect finishing touch.
Channel Your Retro Side
If you’ve got a collection of original vintage ornaments, you’re one step ahead of the game, as they’re very much in vogue this festive season. If you don’t, fear not; you can create a retro look with today’s modern reproductions of the glass bauble and icicle ornaments of years ago. Add chains of coloured paper, handmade snowflakes, strings of old-style bubble lights, and don’t forget the tinsel.
Get Colourful
Traditions of good taste dictate white golds and silvers as an expression of elegance and sophistication. But who wants to conform, hey? You could create a fabulous rainbow, if you wish, which brings glamour and a sense of playfulness. Look for baubles and ornaments in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, and arrange each colour around the tree starting with red on the bottom tier and progressing to the top in the same ROYGBIV order as the spectrum. Add a bold rainbow patterned Christmas skirt for extra effect and top it all off with a statement golden star.
It Was On A Starry Night
Create a dazzling tree decked out in silver, white, and gold star and snowflake ornaments of all shapes and sizes to give the impression of looking upwards, perhaps searching for a glimpse of Santa’s sleigh? The flicker of twinkle lights and strings of LED lights that look just like candles and clip upright onto the branches will bring the starscape in. Heavenly!
From students celebrating their new found freedom to work colleagues going out for a few ‘after work’ drinks, it seems nowadays everybody has an element of social drinking in their lives. But if you’ve decided you want to reduce your alcohol consumption, you needn’t worry about this affecting your social life.
Whether you’ve decided you want to drink less to improve your health or to improve your bank balance, there are plenty of ways to reduce and monitor your alcohol consumption without introducing any tight restrictions or drastic cut-backs. So, with the help of Dr. Wendy Snell, a private GP at Blossoms Healthcare, here are 7 ideal tricks to curb your alcohol intake.
Know exactly what you’re drinking
A great way to monitor and control your intake is to be aware of what you are drinking. Before you purchase a drink, take the time to read the menu or ask your bartender what ingredients are used in each of their drinks and cocktails. This will not only help you make an informed decision when it comes to lower-alcohol alternatives but will also ensure your drinks aren’t too sugary – opting for low-calorie mixers or even asking for no added sugar is always better for you. Even the classic Coke Zero vs Diet Coke debate could be the difference, especially if you are mixing it with spirits. So before you buy, make sure you know what it is that’s going into your glass.
Space your drinks
When next out drinking, reduce the amount of alcohol you consume by adding non-alcoholic ‘spacers’ in between each alcoholic drink. Not only will this usually lead to lower alcohol consumption throughout the night, but it will also dilute the alcohol you do consume. Water is a popular spacer for some as it not only helps combat the dreaded dehydration headaches felt the morning after but it also speeds up the eliminations of harmful toxins built up from alcohol metabolism. This means the negative-side effects of alcohol are reduced allowing you to enjoy more of your evening.
Do not start drinking when you’re thirsty
There’s no denying alcoholic drinks quench your thirst. Therefore, it makes sense that the thirstier you are, the more likely you are to reach for another alcoholic drink on a night out. To prevent this, make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your water levels constant. If you do feel thirsty during a night out, quench your thirst with a large glass of water before going back to the alcohol.
Avoid drinking when you’re hungry
It’s not uncommon for people to crave alcoholic drinks at the end of a long, hard day’s work. When your blood sugar levels drop your body can crave the high-sugar content of your favourite alcoholic drink when what your body actually needs is a good hearty meal. Before you next head out, make sure you get in a good meal with plenty of carbs. Drinking on a full stomach will also slow down the rate alcohol is absorbed into your system allowing you to remain in control of your consumption.
Measure your drinks correctly
It’s important to understand what a ‘standard’ measurement is when it comes to your favourite tipple and it can be a worthwhile investment buying a good measure for when you make drinks at home. With over-sized measures, not only are you drinking more than you expect per glass but you’ll also loose the taste of your favourite drinks and cocktails as they become overpowered with strong spirits. Wine drinkers should also keep an eye on their glass level too. It’s easier to control and limit your intake when drinking from a small glass of wine and avoid a ‘top off’ of your glass before it’s empty to help you keep an eye on your intake.
Reduce the alcohol content of your favourite drinks
If you don’t want to be left empty handed after finishing your half pint quickly, you can reduce your alcohol intake without actually reducing the amount you drink. Shandies, spritzers and ‘mocktails’ are great alternatives to high-alcohol drinks and you won’t feel like you are drinking less than you used to. Keep an eye out for the alcohol percentage of your wines and beers as well and choose ones with a lower percentage volume.
Don’t drink just because you have to
Contrary to what most people think, wine can keep overnight. So the next evening you open a bottle for just one glass, it can be just that. Invest in a good cork to keep it fresh and you won’t feel obliged to finish a bottle to prevent wasting good wine. And although it may go against the traditional British bar etiquette, it’s OK to opt out of buying rounds. In groups of large people, you may feel pressured to drink as much and as quickly as others. Buying your own drinks and drinking at your own pace is a great way to stay in control when it comes to drinking out with groups of friends.
These adorable Rudolph red velvet cupcakes are simply impossible to resist.
Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Makes 10 cupcakes
Ingredients:
115g (4 oz) Flora Buttery
115g (4 oz) caster sugar
2 eggs, medium
115g (4 oz) self-raising flour
15g (½ oz) cocoa powder
30ml red food colouring (gel is best)
Icing
55g (2 oz) Flora Buttery
225g icing sugar, sieved
1-2 tablespoons milk
25g (1 oz) cocoa powder
Decoration
White chocolate buttons and plain chocolate drops
Pretzels
Red sweets
Preparation
Preheat oven to 180°C, 160°C fan, Gas mark 4.
Weigh your eggs. Note the weight and measure the same amount of Flora, sugar and flour. Place all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat with a wooden spoon 2–3 minutes until well mixed.
Place dessertspoons of the mixture in 10 paper cases or greased bun tins. Bake for around 20 minutes until soft and springy to touch. Cool on a wire tray.
Mix icing ingredients together and spread over the cakes. Decorate using pretzels for antlers, chocolate buttons and drops for eyes and red sweets for the nose.
It’s a day when nobody is quite sure what to wear. You’re in the bosom of your family, regressing into a role you haven’t played since childhood, and as such, you want to be low and loose. The TV is on, the fire is roaring, and yet flopping around in your dressing gown isn’t going to look right as relatives or friends burst through the door full of festive cheer. You’ll want to mark the day with a little effort, pazzaz and glamour, even if only your grandmother is going to compliment you. Still, it’s Christmas, so you’d be forgiven for throwing all the usual rules of fashion and etiquette right out of the window. Jesus Christmas, we’re so confused here!
Still, the question remains: do you pay tribute to the Christmases of your youth and stay in your loungewear, or should you dress up in something sparkly and festive for those inevitable family snaps? However you’re spending the big day this year, here are 5 IDEAL outfits for Christmas Day.
The Christmas Jumper
Although sales of Christmas jumperssaw a steady decline in 2015, 2016 reversed the trend and this year our favourite novelty knitwear is back with all-conquering a vengeance. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without at least one festive jumper making an appearance, so don yours with pride. Be sure to wear with leggings for ultimate comfort.
If you’re conscious of spending good money on a one-day-wonder, then keep an eye out for discounts, vouchers and special offers. Just remember to have a backup outfit at the read in case an elderly family member cranks the heating up to ful; those prickly numbers can get itchy in warm temperatures. We love this one, but at $90 000, we might just keep it conventional this year.
Pyjamas
According to a recent Independent survey, it’s now perfectly acceptable for us Brits to wear pyjamas as daywear, with 90 percent of women wearing loungewear to relax at home, 14 percent changing into their PJs before they eat dinner, and a staggering 13 percent going shopping in their jim-jammies. Despite this national acceptance of loungewear, pyjama-clad shoppers caused an outcry in Tesco stores last year, with one customer posting an open letter to his local store asking them to ban customers wearing pyjamas from their store. The furore continued when it was reported from the front line that some parents were picking up their kids from school in their pjs….would someone please think of the children?
Christmas, though, is a law unto itself. Putting aside the aforementioned controversy, it stands to reason that it’s almost expected that you’ll wear your comfiest clothes on Christmas Day for the full, familial experience. So if you don’t fancy splashing out on a new dress that you’re only going to wear until the Queen’s Speech comes on, rest assured you won’t be the only one relaxing in your PJs this, or any other, year.
Something With Sparkle
The joy of an outfit full of sparkle and glimmer is that it can be as gaudily glamorous or understated as you want. This year’s sparkly offerings are high street approved and Christmas Day ready, just in time to match the glitter of the tree’s fairy lights. Alternatively, simply wrap yourself in the aforementioned lights and spend the day close to a plug for the requisite twinkle.
Slogans
Maybe the Scandi-inspired Christmas jumper has had its day in the spotlight. Make a statement by forgoing the traditional knitwear for something with a slogan; still festive, but a much more unique and personalisable proposition. In fact, this year slogan jumpers are where it’s at, so jump on the bandwagon now before it’s too late.
A Festive Dress
Of course you want to be comfy when you veg out on the sofa come Christmas Day, but there is also an enormous amount of pressure to dress up, at some point, out of respect for your family (and fear of unflattering Instagram snaps) if nothing else. Whatever the reason, you’ll want to look your best even in the aftermath of the big feed, so be sure to go for circle skirts or hip-skimming dresses that will flatter your figure, even when you’re several courses down. Don’t forget to add an oversized coat to keep you warm on that winter walk.
For a city at the cutting edge of fashion and innovation, it may seem somewhat converse that London often gets its inspiration from casting gazes backwards. The capital has a great love of all things retro; whether you’re looking for a vintage market packed with classic threads from more fashionable, flared days, or a dancehall packed with lindyhopping, jitterbugging couples, or even a speakeasy, where you can sip gin cocktails out of teacups, it’s easy to leave the present behind and take a step back into the past. To help you turn back the clock, here are 5 IDEAL ways to live a retro life in London.
GO DANCING OLD SCHOOL STYLE
If you hanker for days when dancing was highly choreographed, co-ordinated and comprised a whole lot less fist pumping, take a step back into time and join Swing Patrol. This community of thousands of dancers, troupes and teachers hosts a range of classes and festivals across the capital. You can join in the at dance studios, dance halls and even pubs – a great way to make new friends and get some exercise at the same time. If you’re looking for somewhere down south of the river, Lindy hop classes every Monday at Market House in Brixton is an excellent way to start your week.
If swing isn’t your thing there are plenty of other eras you can sample to seek best fit. From special nights for lovers of classic ska, reggae and soul to the glory days of 80s electro pop, you can find something in the capital to suit all tastes. Why not consider a Blitz Party by Bourne and Hollingsworth, with punters dressed up in 1940s garb, recreating the spirit that helped Londoners make it through the dark times by dancing the night away without care in the world.
ENJOY NOSTALGIC FOOD
London retro life is often best enjoyed through food and hospitality. The capital is now home to a number of 50s-style diners and American-style burger joints, many of which offer great grub in classic surroundings. Delightful touches such as red leather booths, and a jukebox filled with music from the era transport you right back to a place where you’ll enjoy great food and feel as though you stepped onto the set of Happy Days. For this experience we can’t recommend Fat Boy’s Diner enough – you can even rent out this amazing retro space in all it’s glory for your own themed party.
One of our favourite places is Coin Laundry in Clerkenwell, a laid back retro-themed joint serving up proper old school guilty pleasures, think chicken Kievs and fish finger sandwiches. They also have a great menu of 70s revival cocktails with bar snacks like cheese and pineapple and pigs in blankets – need we say more.
If you’re after lighter bites, head to one of London’s vintage tea rooms, such as Hillman’s in Walthamstow, or enjoy the retro charm of the Age Exchange Cafe in Blackheath which features its own vintage toy shop. London is also home to a number of old-fashioned tuck shops like Hardy’sreplete with jars of cola cubes, rhubarb and custards and other treats for those with a sweet, nostalgic tooth.
For a blowout, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is the place to take you back in time through food, with a menu exploring British gastronomy through historical recipes – meat fruit anyone?
RETRO THEMED BARS
London is brimming with retro-themed bars primed to take you back to a different era. If speakeasy 1940’s is your style, Cahoots is the ideal choice, set in a disused underground station with an elicit feel and cocktails to match. Nightjar brings the 1920s to the capital – expect the low hum of jazz and a mood of sophistication. If you’re after something a touch more lively, Four Quarters in Hackney is a fun retro arcade bar; expect pacman iconography, a game of space raiders and plenty of craft beer. To get your groove on, Strawberry Moons fabulous 70s style flashing dancefloor, with chart classics from the era, as well as the previous decade, is just the ticket.
GO VINTAGE SHOPPING
If you want to go that extra mile in your search for vintage styles, you’re spoilt for choice in London. One of the joys of searching through such shops is that there’s always a chance of finding a hidden gem that perfectly matches your personal sense of style and sets you apart from the crowd.
Beyond Retro in Dalston is an all time favourite of IDEAL. With vaulted ceilings and an enormous open floor plan, the space which was once a former factory is now a chic, vintage hangout where you can grab a coffee and peruse racks of handpicked retro clothing.
Other top destinations include Alfies Antique Market in Marylebone, the iconic weekly Portobello Market in the heart of Notting Hill and Frock Me Vintage, a collection put together by curated dealers all over the capital. In addition, there are regular pop up fairs to get stuck into in locations including East London, Hammersmith, Clerkenwell and Cabot Square.
If you’re looking for something specific that’s not second hand, Revival Retro is an independently owned store near Fitzrovia where you can find an absolutely stunning retro inspired outfits from the 1920’s to the 1950’s.
PLAY DRESS UP AT RETRO PARTIES
Playing dress up is the ultimate way to embrace retro themed nights in the capital. Events like the Bourne and Hollingsworth’s Prohibition Parties have become legendary. From flapper to retro dresses and even undergarments including modern-day corsets which are surprisingly light and comfortable for freedom of movement (how else would you do the charleston in one?) everyone always dresses up for the occasion. Of course, we’d always recommend finding your outfit from one of the previously mentioned vintage shops, but secondhand underwear and corsets, erm, maybe not. Worry not however, as you can find a wide range of new styles and designs at Corset Deal.
If you’re looking for somewhere that plays Disco classics, where you can boogie till you drop and dress head to toe in lycra, you can’t do better than Carwash, which holds the title of Europe’s longest running Disco and 80s Pop Club nights.
TAKE A STEP BACK IN TIME
Although the capital is always reinventing, there are some areas that have changed little since the 1960s or before. Even if the shop fronts have changed, it only takes a glance towards the upper floors of a building to see that the original facade remains in place. The London Palladium in Argyll Street still has much of the same frontage it did when the Beatles played there in 1963, and in doing so became a household name overnight. Ronnie Scott may have died some years ago but his famous jazz club on Frith Street remains. It was where rock band The Who game the first ever performance of their rock opera, Tommy, and also the place where guitar legend Jimi Hendrix gave his last ever performance. You can’t beat that for heritage.
Another year has flown by faster than Santa’s sleigh and Christmas will soon be upon us. Expect port, cheese, copious feasting and drinking to match, with a side order of misbehavior at the office party. Most of all though, Christmas is about the kids. It’s a magical time for children, with an abundance of activities to enjoy, but fun in winter shouldn’t be confined to festive frolics. It’s not just for Christmas, as the old saying goes. Indeed, there are plenty of other interesting activities — from kid’s paintball to hiking — for your children to embrace over the coming months. So, here are 5 unique outdoor activities IDEAL for kids this winter.
Snow Days
Although a ‘white Christmas’ is a rarity for many people living in the UK, every so often – and much to the chagrin of the bookmakers – it does happen; you should take full advantage of the occasion, especially if you have little ones who need entertaining. Snow definitely adds a sense of magic to the festive season, but more importantly, it gives you the opportunity to spend the day sledding and rallying the troops for epic snowball fights.
If you have children that are yet to experience a day of snow, then it will undoubtedly be a an occasion they will never forget, and one that will stick in your mind as a parent. So, get out there; hatted, gloved, camera and sled ready.
One final word: if there’s enough snow, don’t forget to bring a few things to make a snowman. A carrot, scarf, twigs and a few stones should do the job nicely!
Winter Picnics
An average winter will include lots of time being wrapped up warm, sat in front of the fire with a piping hot cup of tea, and that’s great, but there’s no reason not to do those same things outside once in awhile. Granted, you‘ll probably need a few more layers and a decent supply of food and hot drinks, but a winter picnic will give you the opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy your local surroundings with a winter aesthetic as magical backdrop. The perfect winter picnic takes planning, but the rewards are worth the effort, especially if you can find a picnic spot with a view. Don’t forget the mince pies and gingerbread men, a winter picnic wouldn’t be the same without these festive treats.
Ice Skating
Ice skating is available all year round at an indoor rink, but there’s something completely unique and exciting about using one of the outdoor rinks that appear during wintertime. The combination of Christmas lights, decorations and your children’s excited faces as they glide across the ice makes the falls, bumps and bruises worth it.
Winter sees outdoor rinks cropping up all across the U.K, with cities such as London boasting some absolute gems with regards to location and aesthetic. It’s likely that you’ll be able to find multiple places to ice skate near you this winter, but if not, it’s a great excuse for a quick trip to the capital for a memorable day out.
Kid’s Paintball
If there isn’t enough snow for a snowball fight this year, an exciting day of junior paintball is the perfect alternative for your children. It’s a brilliant treat for them during winter, as it gives them good reason to enjoy the great outdoors, get some exercise and immerse themselves in a unique activity that’s unlike any other.
Kids paintball is a safer, more reassuring alternative to the adult version in that it uses low-power guns to ensure that participants are safe at all times. It’s also a great opportunity for your children to learn and develop team tactics, as the activity emphasises the benefits of teamwork and communication.
Cycling Challenges
If your kids enjoy adventure, winter cycling challenges can turn miserable days into exciting ones. Riding on open spaces helps to build focus and balance. Confidence will grow as they take part in fresh-air activity during the freezing cold months.
With the right gear and supervision, they’ll learn plenty about riding and build many motor skills. Make sure you keep sessions short and conditions safe for them to get the best out of their time.
Hiking
Rallying the troops for a winter hike gives you the chance to take in some local scenery, spend quality time with your family, burn off some Christmas calories and have an exciting day that costs next to nothing — or nothing at all, in fact! Living in the UK, we’re lucky enough to have an abundance of beautiful rural locations, charming towns and coastal paths that are all worth exploring. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there!
If you are an online shopping addict and the delivery man knows you by name (and not just because the package is addressed to you) then you need to know about these sneaky ways to save money when shopping online.
The unstoppable rise of ecommerce has made shopping and saving online easier and more convenient than ever. Us Brits are amongst the highest users of internet shopping in the world and most of us wouldn’t think twice about going online for our shopping needs.
Here, Bertie Stephens from Flubit.com, the online shopping service that creates better, private offers for consumers on products they are ready to buy, shares his top tips for saving money.
Connect with brands
Make ‘friends’ with the brands you buy from and you’ll be the first to learn about daily discounts and upcoming promotional offers. Now more than ever, brands actively reward online customer loyalty with member-only discounts and insider details of upcoming sales. Connect with brands by signing up for email and mailing lists and following brands on social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Shop around and plan ahead
During the traditional gifting seasons, like Christmas, plan ahead and be organised. You’ll be able to find the best prices and save money if you’re not rushing at the last minute just trying to get all of your shopping done. Give yourself plenty of time so you can find the most attractive deals.
Be patient and wait
If you don’t need a particular item right now then sit back and wait for a while, particularly if it’s a newly released or the latest piece of tech. Most products will eventually come down in price even if you have to wait a few months.
Look at cheaper alternatives
If you’re making a big purchase always check the alternatives rather than just going for the latest ‘on trend’ product. And don’t always trust the hype. Do you really need that iPad or could a Kindle Fire do the job? If you spend a bit of time researching the key features you’re looking for you might find a cheaper alternative will work just as well for you.
Check the reviews
One of the biggest advantages of the internet is the ability to access information instantly and the plethora of product review sites that now exist. It’s worth taking a few minutes to read reviews on the products you are interested in. Buying quality and reliability and a product that meets your exacting needs will save you money in the long run.
Buy in the sales
Ok so you need to be super organised to do this but you can save bags of cash if you buy your presents in the Sales. There are regular online Sales throughout the year so make a list of all the birthday and Christmas presents you need to buy and get them as when they appear. This will also help you budget effectively and spread the cost throughout the year.
Flash sales
If you can stay disciplined and have a very clear idea of the type of product you want to buy then flash sales or time limited sale sites could be worth a try. You normally sign up and get alerts sent when products become available. But beware of lengthy fulfillment and delivery times so always check first.
Earn your rewards
Seeing as you you’re paying with plastic anyway, try to use a credit card that gives you cash back or reward points to help reduce the cost of other expenses. If you pay for all of your online shopping and everything else using the same card the money you make back can soon mount up. Plus it will help with your budgeting to have all your expenditure in one place. Just make sure you pay it off every month so you don’t get stung on the interest
Be part of the community
Register at community and forum sites such as HotUKDeals.com to be kept informed about the latest deals and offers. Some of these sites have millions of members so there is always something worth knowing about and you can search by topics or products.
Use Flubit.com!
If you shop on Amazon.co.uk then just give Flubit.com the weblink for the product you want to buy and you’ll receive a better offer. It’s free and there’s no obligation to buy. You can get a better price on pretty much everything you buy online!
Trampolining doesn’t just have to be something for the kids to do; for fun or to tire them out before bedtime. If you’ve been spending hours at the gym or jogging, trying to shift a few pounds through rigorous routines, the idea that fitness could be fun may be pretty incomprehensible to you. Fear not though, it doesn’t have to be that way.
As a fitness activity, trampolining can offer a big benefits to your fitness and general wellbeing.Trampoline fitness classes are low impact and ideal for anyone with a sense of fun, unlike many other exercises which demand endurance and a sweaty, angry face. With this in mind, here are our 5 IDEAL reasons to get involved in trampolining classes.
It’s Suitable For Anyone
From small kids to grandparents, anyone can get involved and amongst it with a trampoline session. Depending on your comfort and ability level, trampolining can be as energetic or relaxing as you would like; it’s an exercise completely adaptable to the different needs of people. Classes are designed to be the perfect way for people from all walks of life to enjoy themselves whilst working on their fitness in a low-stress, friendly environment.
It’s More Physically Effective Than Jogging
When people think of a traditional way to workout, jogging is the method that first springs to mind. Just because trampolining can be excellent fun – frivolous feeling even – it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t pack a punch, physically.
Studies over the years have shown that a trampoline session can be just as effective, if not more so, than more conventional exercise routines. A 2006 research project by NASA actually showed that trampolining can be up to 70% more effective than jogging when carried out over a similar stretch of time.
Low Impact, Low Strain
Many conventional exercises, especially jogging, can prove to be incredibly high impact and place great strain on both your joints and muscles; no good for the injury prone or creaking boned among us. Trampolining is delightfully low impact so puts a lot less strain on your body. On top of this, jumping can actually help to build and strengthen your entire body to reduce the likelihood of injuries in the future.
The biggest surprise you’ll experience during a trampoline fitness class is that despite knowing you are working out every muscle, it is so low impact that you won’t feel like you are taking part in a high-intensity workout.
It’s A Full Body Affair
Much like swimming, trampolining is a way to work your entire body rather than just specific muscles. No more ‘missed leg day’ memes for you. With every bounce you make, you’re fighting against gravity, so every muscle from head to toe works together to lift you off the ground. Trampolining is especially adept at working the muscles of your abdomen and back, giving massive gains in core physical strength.
Improved balance
The movement involved with trampolining not only provides great exercise and an incredible, total body workout, it can also help improve your spatial awareness and balance over the course of time. As trampoline sessions involve every muscle and limb of your body working in tandem to get you in the air, your brain will train itself to know exactly what every limb and muscle is doing at any given moment, leading to much greater balance and coordination. Goodbye to being clumsy!
London 2017. Stereotypes strut the streets where individuals once strolled. We are all in the clasp of a thousand clichés and are somehow powerless to resist.
To be young and living in the capital is to have a Tinder chat-up line copied to your clipboard. It’s daily outrage at the lunchtime meal deal’s deliberately poor choice of sandwich. It is failing Stoptober because of a brunch invitation of bad eggs and inevitable regret. It is avoiding meeting eyes with the same faces on the tube every single morning, and still fantasising that you might one day be friends. It is laughing in the face of self-restraint on payday weekend and crying in its company for the rest of the month. It is the empty Gü pudding as vehicle for everything.
But nothing, NOTHING, is more painfully familiar to the modern Londoner than the workplace hangover and its many wicked guises. So, with that in mind, here are our 5 types of workplace hangover and their IDEAL cures.
THE SLOW-BURNER
‘Hey, I think I got away with that one’ you say. ‘I’m glad I stopped at the fifth’.
You might reward yourself with a pre-work Coca Cola and hope it knocks the lingering headache on the head (wait, that would exacerbate it. Editor?!). You wonder why you’re heading out mid-morning for an all-day breakfast sandwich, denial still in full swing in time with your stomach.
But with every passing minute you get more sluggish. Then post-lunch, you realise: You’re really bloody hungover. You have been for a while. The rest of the day is written off to procrastination; the energy spent earlier in denial now drained from you. An early night awaits you on the long tube ride home.
The Ideal Cure is surely pre-emptive; plenty of water, a couple of paracetamol and zero complacency.
THE STILL DRUNK
That spring in your step is an illusory stagger as you career through the office doors and slur your way through several ill-judged good mornings. It’s impossible to control the volume of your voice as you chat to the office bore for the first time in your life; he looks scared. You deliver uninvited anecdotes which you think are going great until the punchline is met with rolling eyes and tumbleweed.
Finally, an ally has a word and you slope off to buy some chewing gum and locate your dignity. You spend the afternoon napping in a toilet cubicle.
The Ideal Cure seems counterintuitive, but; set your alarm a little earlier than usual, take a cold shower and generally use the extra pre-work time to sober up.
THE FEAR
It’s a bad one and you know it. The walk to the tube stop is tentative and features a string of mini-embarrassments; bumping into someone, moving your arms too much as you walk, tripping on the curb; that kind of thing. You’re sure a fellow commuter just flinched at your exhale. Just keep your eyes firmly on the Metro….your red, tell-tale eyes. No amount of polos and fresh applications of roll-on will keep this one undetected. You spend the day in silence, fear and a tangible miasma of gin-cloud.
The Ideal Cure involves restraint on post midnight drinks. A 12am cut-off point on cocktail consumption banishes the next day’s alcohol aroma. If you’re going to drink hard, finish early.
THE SWEET SPOT
You know it’s one of those good hangovers when your commute music sounds great, not paranoia and headache inducing. You’re issuing out smiles and people are reciprocating their warmth. You might even be moved to help someone with a suitcase you’d usually resent for holding up the journey.
Yes, we all get them sometimes; those good hangovers where everything seems right with the world. You breeze through your day at work in a mellow-yellow-hued haze, productive yet carefree, suavely wishing everyone a fine evening as you stroll out of the doors and into an evening of great promise.
The Ideal Cure is more a warning; you’ve been a very lucky girl/boy. Don’t let this false sense of security carry you into another night of excess, for the hangover gods will reap their revenge twofold tomorrow.
THE NO-SHOW
Sometimes the hangover is so bad that your job is actually in danger if you go to work. You put on your best ‘ate something dodgy last night’ voice, whatever that actually sounds like, and hope for understanding. Better still, you text suspiciously late at night/early in the morning and wait in paralysed fear for a reply. The relief when one arrives almost makes you feel like you could go in after all.
